Another circle begins 1

I seem to have started a new cycle. Every so often, I appear to start over and rebuild the former restructuring of my life.

This time, a large dose of red-tape rigmarole concerning passport/visa applications and obtaining sufficient documents for such has dragged me down somewhat. Not knowing if my son is accompanying me on my overseas trip, nor how long I will be, nor if I will have a home to return to have been somewhat straining.

I am glad that I have begun to develop various qualities through my Buddhist practice to help me deal with these difficulties. Lack of attachment helps me handle the possibility of dumping a large part of our 3-bedroom home, as very little can fit in 1-2 suitcases!

Reading much of monks and nuns who live very simply with few possessions also helps me. If I begin to get teary-eyed at the loss of anything, I can compare myself to someone entering a monastery and leaving the world behind them.

Recognizing the truly important factors of life and that changes are bound to occur has also helped me cope with the otherwise stressful procedures. However, I still remain very tired and drained from the continual reassessments, and the need to live in a document-heavy society.